K. S. Sudhi
KOCHI, June 25, 2012
KOCHI, June 25, 2012
Taxonomic studies to be conducted
It is estimated that there are 46 varieties of kurinji in the south Western Ghats region.
KOCHI:
The world of Kurinjis (Strobilanthes) of the south Western Ghats will
open up in much more detail soon. The Forest Department is all set to
conduct detailed taxonomic studies on these plants.
After
the expansive blooming of Neelakurinjis in 2006, nearly 20 other
varieties recently bloomed together at the Eravikulam National Park and
adjoining areas.
The department has completed a
preliminary study on a few of them. It is estimated that there are 46
varieties in the south Western Ghats region.
The
flowering interval of Neelakurinji is 12 years. The government had
decided to form the Kurinjimala Sanctuary covering about 32 sq.km of the
core habitat of the plant species during the last flowering season.
The department plans to promote research on Kurinji plants, says K.P. Ouseph, Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife).
Kurinji
varieties that flowered recently have been identified by researchers as
neoasper, lawsonii, andersonii, foliosis, grazilus and so on, says M.P.
Sanjayan, Forester.
The flowering rotation of a
large number of Kurinji plants remains unknown. It is believed that the
flowering rotation of lawsonii is 24 years. But neoasper, luridus and
andersonii flower once in a decade and pulniensis in seven years.
Much
is not known about varieties other than Neelakurinji. A detailed
taxonomic study of them needs to be conducted, says A.P. Sunil Babu,
Wildlife Warden of the Eravikulam National Park.
Most
Kurunjis are found at an altitude of above 5000 ft as part of the shola
grassland ecosystem. While Neelakurunji is found on the grasslands,
others are mostly found inside, or on the fringes of, the sholas.
Foliosis
has an affinity for areas near streams. Grazilus, locally known as
Marakurunji, is the tallest variety and can grow up to a height of four
metres. This variety flowers once in a decade.
Only
10 per cent of the seeds of the variety germinate and live on and it
requires massive flowering and bearing of seeds for the species to
survive, Mr. Sanjayan says.
Most of the Kurunjis have flowers of lilac shades. But pulniensis bears white flowers, he says.
